The AFN national chief race comes at a critical juncture with a landmark Indigenous rights bill expected to be tabled a few months after the election, something that has sharply divided candidates so far.

The Eagle River Singers performing at the AFN's special assembly in Gatineau, Que. on May 1. The organization's national chief elections may impact the politics around the Ottawa's relationship with First Nations going forward. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Assembly of First Nations national chief Perry Bellegarde, who’s running for re-election next month, is facing challenges from candidates who want to overhaul the influential advocacy organization’s relationship with the Liberal government, something that could dramatically shift the politics around a landmark bill on Indigenous rights expected to be tabled this fall.

The Liberals will be under attack from all sides in the next election campaign, but Liberals say they have a good story to tell and some say they need to sharpen up their communications strategy before it's too late.